Bringing Spirit to Tech Prep: Cheerleading Style

STORY AND PHOTO BY RYDIA WRIGHT

The cheerleading team is back after 2 years and even stronger than before. Our goal is to bring the spirit back to Tech Prep and we plan on doing exactly that.

Meet the 2013-2014 Cheerleaders:

Rydia Wright- Captain

Taria Taylor- Co-Captain

Marie Jackson- Co-Captain

Marie Williams

Tiayanna Robins

Dannice Hollands

Khalia Grant

Valencia Robinson

Dominque Lawrence

Ty-Tierra Lovely-Prince

Lyric Jones

Emani Matthews

Myneka Crawley

Jamonnie Newman

Chathayia Hunt

Miché Pegues

Nijah Harris

Cheerleading started in September of the 2013-2014 school year. We held a tryout, but another tryout will be held after winter break. If you have any questions you can talk to Lauren Bennett.

“I think it is important that our female students are given opportunities to showcase their creativity and spirit through team building and building school morale.” says Lauren Bennett, coach of Tech Prep Cheerleading team. She also says, “ Our girls will learn about the value of character, sharing, accountability, professionalism, etiquette, hygiene, academic and college resources, culture, current events, self-esteem, relationship balance, and maturity.”

This may seem like a lot, but as captain of the cheerleading team, I can say these values are learned through activities that happen while you’re on the team. They are not taught directly, but can be taken away from everything you do as a cheerleader.

The cheerleading team’s job is to bring spirit to Tech Prep through everything we do. We plan to deliver. For example, cheerleaders will attend every home basketball game for the girls and boys team.  And, cheerleaders plan on doing some surprise things that will raise our spirit high. We will do our best to perform at all pep rallies and school-themed events.

I think that cheerleading is a great way to exercise the expectations of Tech Prep all around. It teaches the discipline and everything else needed to succeed at Tech Prep and in life.

Rydia Wright is a junior at Friendship Tech Prep Academy.